FROM new slippers to winter warmer soup recipes, more than 200 elderly residents in Warrington are benefitting from support as part of the Winter Warm – Happy Feet campaign.
Council staff, partners and local groups joined together for the campaign to make sure the elderly and vulnerable stay warm this winter as part of the ‘Delivering Wellbeing in Bewsey and Dallam’ project.
Bewsey Community Park Centre played host to over 25 elderly residents on Friday 11 December for a special event hosted by the council’s wellbeing, public health and neighbourhoods teams along with LiveWire, Warrington Healthy Homes, Cheshire Fire and Rescue and Dallam Pharmacy.
Residents were given advice ranging from healthy foot care, health checks, tips for keeping their home warm and secure.
Residents took the opportunity to swap their old sloppy slippers for new well-fitted ones and took away ingredients and recipes for soups and stews as well as lots of other helpful goodies for the winter months.
Cllr Pat Wright, executive board member for statutory health and adult social care, said: “Throughout the cold weather, looking out for yourself and others is essential to keeping healthy.
“A big thank you to Bewsey Luncheon Club volunteers who were on hand to serve refreshments as well as LiveWire staff who prepared delicious taster soups from the ingredients provided and gave tips on how to prepare quick and nutritious meals.”
Top tips keep yourself healthy and your home warm this winter:
· Don’t put off getting the flu vaccination; if you’re eligible get it now. It’s free because you need it.
· If you meet the criteria, register for priority service with your energy and water suppliers.
· Have all gas, solid fuel and oil burning appliances (ie boilers, heaters, cookers) serviced by a registered engineer.
· Carry out energy efficiency improvements to your home or encourage your landlord to do so
· Look out for friends and family who may be vulnerable to the cold and ensure they have access to warm food, drinks and managing to heat their homes adequately.
· Try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C, particularly if you are not mobile, have long term illness or are 65 or over.
· Protect water pipes from freezing by insulating them
For further help and advice on keeping warm this winter please call the Delivering Wellbeing in Bewsey and Dallam team on 01925 442662 or visit http://partnership.warrington.gov.uk/key-projects/vulnerable-communities-complex-needs/delivering-wellbeing-in-bewsey-and-dallam/ here to find out more about the wider project.
